Alternative Energy Sources You Never Knew About

When people think of energy sources, they typically think of a standard power outlet or gas. When they think of alternative energy sources, they think of things like solar energy. However, there are actually other, more bizarre alternative energy sources out there. Here are a few of the strangest things from which you can get energy.

Sugar

Thanks right, researchers have found a way to turn granulated sugar into a form of energy. This research was completed by a chemist at Virginia Tech. The process involves converting sugar into hydrogen. Since hydrogen can be used in a fuel cell, sugar can be turned into a form of energy. Sugar is not only cheaper to produce than gasoline, but it also provides a pollutant-free drive. Now, that is a tasty form of energy that everyone can get behind, but don't start pouring sugar into your car just yet! This kind of energy will not be ready for commercial use for another 10 years.

Feces and Urine

That's right, researchers in Pennsylvania have found a way to turn poo into methane. All feces contains some methane. This is an odorless and colorless gas. Researchers have learned that this same gas can be used much in the same way that natural gas is used. This same research goes on to show that just 600 cows produce nearly 18,000 gallons of manure every day. Some farms are already using this manure to produce electricity.

Urine is not much different. Heirot-Watt University's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences in Edinburgh has already found that urine can be converted into energy. It found this by creating the world's very first urine-powered fuel cells. The researchers believe that this could be a great form of energy for military personnel or astronauts who do not have access to other forms of energy.

Bacteria

That's right, the thing that so many people hate to think about might be a great alternative energy source. Billions of different forms of bacteria currently live in the wild. These living organisms have actually come up with ways to survive when there is limited food. It just so happens that these survival strategies can also be used for alternative energy.

The way it works is simple. Bacteria like E. coli store fuel from things like fatty acids. This fuel resembles polyester. Oddly enough, this is the same fatty acid that is needed to produce other forms of energy, like bio-diesel fuel. Researchers are currently looking for ways that they can modify E. coli to overproduce these polyester like acids and use it for fuel.

Beer

That's right, beer is no longer just good for drinking! Research in England has found a way to turn brewery waste into alternative energy. The Adnams PLC, a brewery founded in 1872, has found a way to turn its waste into gas. This gas is then sold back to the National Grid. By doing this, it is not only making gas but keeping 50,000 tons of waste out of UK landfills every year. Now, if breweries all around the world could follow suit, people could literally run the world on beer.

Editor's Note: Nick Anderson is one of the blogger for GoProWaste. When he is not working, he enjoys living a green life and providing advice on how to live a minimalistic lifestyle.

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